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Deuteronomy 8:3 - Divine sustenance beyond bread.

Deuteronomy 8:3 - דברים 8:3

Hebrew Text

וַיְעַנְּךָ וַיַּרְעִבֶךָ וַיַּאֲכִלְךָ אֶת הַמָּן אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַעְתָּ וְלֹא יָדְעוּן אֲבֹתֶיךָ לְמַעַן הוֹדִעֲךָ כִּי לֹא עַל־הַלֶּחֶם לְבַדּוֹ יִחְיֶה הָאָדָם כִּי עַל־כָּל־מוֹצָא פִי־יְהוָה יִחְיֶה הָאָדָם׃

English Translation

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord does man live.

Transliteration

Va'yancha vayar'ivecha vaya'achilcha et haman asher lo yada'ta v'lo yad'un avotecha l'ma'an hodi'acha ki lo al halechem l'vado yichyeh ha'adam ki al kol motza pi Adonai yichyeh ha'adam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיְעַנְּךָ֮ וַיַּרְעִבֶ֒ךָ֒ וַיַּאֲכִֽלְךָ֤ אֶת־הַמָּן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־יָדַ֔עְתָּ וְלֹ֥א יָדְע֖וּן אֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ לְמַ֣עַן הוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֗ כִּ֠י לֹ֣א עַל־הַלֶּ֤חֶם לְבַדּוֹ֙ יִחְיֶ֣ה הָֽאָדָ֔ם כִּ֛י עַל־כׇּל־מוֹצָ֥א פִֽי־יְהֹוָ֖ה יִחְיֶ֥ה הָאָדָֽם׃
וַֽיְעַנְּךָ֮ וַיַּרְעִבֶ֒ךָ֒ וַיַּאֲכִֽלְךָ֤ אֶת־הַמָּן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־יָדַ֔עְתָּ וְלֹ֥א יָדְע֖וּן אֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ לְמַ֣עַן הוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֗ כִּ֠י לֹ֣א עַל־הַלֶּ֤חֶם לְבַדּוֹ֙ יִחְיֶ֣ה הָֽאָדָ֔ם כִּ֛י עַל־כׇּל־מוֹצָ֥א פִֽי־יְהֹוָ֖ה יִחְיֶ֥ה הָאָדָֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 8:3, where Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Bnei Yisrael of Hashem's providence during their 40 years in the wilderness. The verse highlights the divine purpose behind the hardships and miracles experienced in the desert, particularly the giving of the mann (manna).

Explanation of Key Phrases

  • "וַיְעַנְּךָ וַיַּרְעִבֶךָ" (And He humbled you and let you hunger): Rashi explains that the hunger was not arbitrary but served a spiritual purpose—to teach Bnei Yisrael reliance on Hashem. The Sforno adds that this was to break their arrogance and prepare them to receive the Torah with humility.
  • "וַיַּאֲכִלְךָ אֶת הַמָּן" (And fed you with the manna): The Ramban notes that the manna was a supernatural food, demonstrating that sustenance comes directly from Hashem’s will, not merely through natural means.
  • "אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַעְתָּ וְלֹא יָדְעוּן אֲבֹתֶיךָ" (Which you did not know, nor did your fathers know): The Ibn Ezra emphasizes that the manna was entirely unprecedented, reinforcing that Hashem’s miracles transcend human experience.

Spiritual Lesson: "כִּי לֹא עַל־הַלֶּחֶם לְבַדּוֹ יִחְיֶה הָאָדָם"

The central teaching—"man does not live by bread alone"—is expounded upon by the Ba’al HaTurim, who connects it to Pirkei Avot (3:17), where it is taught that without Torah, there is no sustenance. The Malbim explains that physical bread alone cannot sustain a person; true life depends on fulfilling Hashem’s commandments (mitzvot) and recognizing His providence.

Midrashic Insights

The Mechilta (on Shemot 16:4) teaches that the manna was given in different forms to the righteous, average, and wicked—showing that divine sustenance is tailored to one’s spiritual level. The Midrash Tanchuma (Beshalach 20) adds that the manna was a test of faith, as Bnei Yisrael had to trust Hashem daily for their portion.

Practical Application

The Rambam (Hilchot De’ot 3:3) derives from this verse that one should not overly pursue physical sustenance but should instead focus on spiritual growth. The Chofetz Chaim teaches that this principle reminds Jews to prioritize Torah study and emunah (faith) over material concerns.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 76a
The verse is discussed in the context of the manna that the Israelites ate in the wilderness, emphasizing the idea that sustenance comes from God's word.
📖 Sotah 48b
The verse is referenced to illustrate the principle that spiritual sustenance is as vital as physical sustenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'man does not live by bread alone' mean in Deuteronomy 8:3?
A: This verse teaches that physical sustenance (like bread) is not enough for a person's true life—spiritual nourishment from Hashem's commandments (Torah) is equally vital. Rashi explains that the manna, which came directly from Hashem, showed that our existence depends on fulfilling His will, not just on food.
Q: Why did Hashem feed the Israelites manna in the desert?
A: The manna was a miracle to teach the Jewish people trust in Hashem (bitachon). Ramban explains that it symbolized total reliance on Divine providence—unlike regular bread, which requires human effort, the manna came directly from Heaven to show that all sustenance ultimately comes from Hashem.
Q: How does 'living by the word of Hashem' apply today?
A: Just as the Israelites needed both physical food (manna) and spiritual guidance (Torah), we must balance material needs with Torah study and mitzvot. The Sforno teaches that true 'life' means elevating the physical through holiness—eating kosher food, saying blessings, and using our energy to serve Hashem.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the hunger mentioned in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Sifrei) says Hashem let the Israelites experience hunger to humble them and prepare their hearts to receive the manna—and later, the Torah. This teaches that challenges (like hunger) can refine us and help us appreciate Hashem's kindness and our dependence on Him.
Q: Why does the verse mention that our ancestors didn't know the manna?
A: Rashi notes that this emphasizes the manna's uniqueness—it was a completely new form of sustenance, unlike anything in human history. This highlights that Hashem provides in unexpected ways when we trust Him, even beyond natural laws (as seen later with Shabbat's double portion).